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Don Giovanni

Overview

Once you’ve catalogued 2,065 seductions, your past can start to catch up with you. When Don Giovanni accepts an irresistible dinner invitation, it leads to his just desserts-flambé. Guest conductor Lawrence Renes leads a dynamic ensemble cast which features Lucas Meacham in the title role, along with former apprentices Susanna Phillips as Donna Elvira, Kate Lindsey as Zerlina, and Corey McKern as Masetto. Elza van den Heever (Donna Anna), Charles Workman (Don Ottavio), and Matthew Rose (Leporello) all make their company debuts.

Synopsis

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed in Italian

Act I

Leporello waits outside the Commendatore’s palace for Don Giovanni, who is inside trying to seduce Donna Anna. Giovanni rushes out, pursued by Anna, who cries out for help. Her father, the Commendatore, comes to her aid, but Giovanni kills him in a duel and flees. Donna Anna demands that Don Ottavio swear vengeance on Giovanni. Nearby, Leporello pleads with his master to reform, but Giovanni is already flirting with a traveler. She is Donna Elvira, one of Giovanni’s conquests, who is trying to track him down. Leporello distracts Elvira by reciting the list of his master’s seductions, while Giovanni escapes. A group of peasants is celebrating the wedding of Zerlina and Masetto. Giovanni immediately takes an interest in Zerlina and orders Leporello to takes everyone else to his palace to continue the party. Elvira interrupts his wooing and spirits Zerlina away, then warns Anna and Ottavio not to trust Giovanni. Zerlina begs Masetto to forgive her and they go to Giovanni’s palace. Elvira, Ottavio, and Anna enter the palace in disguise, spying on Giovanni. Leporello distracts Masetto as his master ushers Zerlina into another room. When she cries out for help, Giovanni accuses Leporello as her attacker. Anna, Ottavio and Elvira reveal themselves and denounce Giovanni, who again escapes.

Intermission

Act II

Outside the inn where Donna Elvira is staying, Giovanni exchanges cloaks with Leporello, as part of his plan to seduce Elvira’s maid. Giovanni lures Elvira down to the street and, mistaking servant for master, Elvira lets the disguised Leporello lead her off, while Giovanni serenades her maid. Anna, Ottavio, Zerlina, and Masetto come upon Leporello, still disguised, and Elvira. They threaten him, but he reveals his identity and escapes. Leporello and Giovanni reunite in a cemetery. They hear a voice coming from the statue of the slain Commendatore, warning Giovanni of his impending doom. Giovanni laughs and insists that Leporello invite the statue to dinner. It accepts, much to their surprise. At Giovanni’s dinner, Elvira begs him to reform, but he dismisses her. The Commendatore’s statue arrives and again warns Giovanni to repent. He refuses and the statue drags him into hell. The others characters arrive and Leporello explains what has happened. They all announce their plans for the future, then sing the moral of the tale, “Those who do evil come to an evil ending.”